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Matt Bahr
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Matthew David Bahr (born July 6, 1956) is an American former professional football placekicker in the National Football League (NFL), and professional soccer player in the North American Soccer League (NASL).[1] He attended Neshaminy High School in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, where he excelled in both football and soccer.[2] He is the son of National Soccer Hall of Fame inductee Walter Bahr, and is the brother of NFL kicker Chris Bahr; he and Chris are two of six players to have played in both professional soccer and the NFL.[3][4]
Key Information
Soccer career
[edit]In 1978, he signed with the Caribous of Colorado of the North American Soccer League, for whom he made 24 appearances and made three assists. The Caribous traded him to the Tulsa Roughnecks during the season, and he made two appearances. On March 27, 1979, he signed with the Pennsylvania Stoners of the second division American Soccer League.
Professional football career
[edit]
In 1979, he was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the sixth round of the 1979 NFL draft, from Penn State, where he was a consensus All-America selection in his senior year.[2] His brother Chris Bahr followed a similar career path. Over his career, which spanned from 1979 to 1995, he played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, the San Francisco 49ers, the Cleveland Browns, the New York Giants, the Philadelphia Eagles and the New England Patriots. As a rookie, he won a Super Bowl ring with the Steelers in Super Bowl XIV. In 1981, Bahr signed with the 49ers, but was traded to the Cleveland Browns midway through the season, thus missing out on a second Super Bowl ring (the 49ers went on the win the Super Bowl that year). After discovering he had been traded, Bahr left a note on his San Francisco locker stating, "See you in the Super Bowl."[5] While this did not happen (the Browns went 5–11 in 1981), Bahr did get some retribution against his former team when he kicked a game winning field goal to give the Browns a 15–12 victory over San Francisco in week 11.[6]
His longest tenure was with the Browns where he played for nine years and was cut during the 1990 preseason.[7][8] In late September of that season, he was picked up by the New York Giants after a repetitious injury to Raúl Allegre.[8] He is best remembered for his performance in the 1990 NFC Championship Game on January 20, 1991, as he set an NFC Championship Game record with five field goals (including a 42-yarder as time expired) to lift the Giants past the 49ers 15–13. He also kicked what would prove to be the decisive field goal in Super Bowl XXV on January 27, 1991, as the Giants beat the Buffalo Bills 20–19, also recording a tackle on the opening kickoff.
Bahr played the final seasons of his career with the New England Patriots. In 1996, rookie kicker Adam Vinatieri beat him out for the starting kicker spot on the team, and he decided to retire after being cut by Patriots during the preseason.[9]
Bahr held the record for longest span for a player between Super Bowl victories at 11 years, until Ray Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens went 12 years from Super Bowl XXXV in 2001 to Super Bowl XLVII in 2013.
Bahr finished his 17 seasons with 300 of 415 field goals and 522 of 534 extra points. Overall, he scored a total of 1,422 points.[10]
At the time of his retirement, Bahr was the last active NFL player that played for the Steelers in at least one of their four Super Bowl wins in the 1970s. Coincidentally, his last year in the NFL saw the Steelers return to the Super Bowl that season in Super Bowl XXX, their first Super Bowl appearance since his rookie season.
Career regular season statistics
[edit]Career high/best bolded
| Regular season statistics | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team (record) | G | FGM | FGA | % | <20 | 20-29 | 30-39 | 40-49 | 50+ | LNG | BLK | XPM | XPA | % | PTS |
| 1979 | PIT (12–4) | 16 | 18 | 30 | 60.0 | 0–0 | 5–5 | 6–11 | 7–13 | 0–1 | 46 | 0 | 50 | 52 | 96.2 | 104 |
| 1980 | PIT (9–7) | 16 | 19 | 28 | 67.9 | 2–2 | 8–9 | 7–10 | 2–6 | 0–1 | 48 | 0 | 39 | 42 | 92.9 | 96 |
| 1981 | SF (13–3) | 4 | 2 | 6 | 33.3 | 0–0 | 0–2 | 0–1 | 2–3 | 0–0 | 47 | 0 | 12 | 12 | 100.0 | 18 |
| 1981 | CLE (5–11) | 11 | 13 | 20 | 65.0 | 3–3 | 5–5 | 5–9 | 0–2 | 0–1 | 39 | 0 | 22 | 22 | 100.0 | 61 |
| 1982 | CLE (4–5) | 9 | 7 | 15 | 46.7 | 1–1 | 3–4 | 1–3 | 2–7 | 0–0 | 45 | 0 | 17 | 17 | 100.0 | 38 |
| 1983 | CLE (9–7) | 16 | 21 | 24 | 87.5 | 1–1 | 9–9 | 5–6 | 6–7 | 0–1 | 47 | 0 | 38 | 40 | 95.0 | 101 |
| 1984 | CLE (5–11) | 16 | 24 | 32 | 75.0 | 3–3 | 12–12 | 2–7 | 6–9 | 1–1 | 50 | 0 | 25 | 25 | 100.0 | 97 |
| 1985 | CLE (8–8) | 16 | 14 | 18 | 77.8 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 8–9 | 3–5 | 0–1 | 45 | 0 | 35 | 35 | 100.0 | 77 |
| 1986 | CLE (12–4) | 12 | 20 | 26 | 76.9 | 4–4 | 7–9 | 7–8 | 1–2 | 1–3 | 52 | 0 | 30 | 30 | 100.0 | 90 |
| 1987 | CLE (10–5) | 3 | 4 | 5 | 80.0 | 0–0 | 2–2 | 2–3 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 31 | 0 | 9 | 10 | 90.0 | 21 |
| 1988 | CLE (10–6) | 16 | 24 | 29 | 82.8 | 1–1 | 10–12 | 8–10 | 5–6 | 0–0 | 47 | 0 | 32 | 33 | 97.0 | 104 |
| 1989 | CLE (9–6–1) | 16 | 16 | 24 | 66.7 | 0–0 | 5–5 | 6–8 | 4–9 | 1–2 | 50 | 0 | 40 | 40 | 100.0 | 88 |
| 1990 | NYG (13–3) | 13 | 17 | 23 | 73.9 | 2–2 | 7–7 | 3–3 | 5–9 | 0–2 | 49 | 0 | 29 | 30 | 96.7 | 80 |
| 1991 | NYG (8–8) | 13 | 22 | 29 | 75.9 | 0–0 | 6–6 | 6–8 | 9–12 | 1–3 | 54 | 1 | 24 | 25 | 96.0 | 90 |
| 1992 | NYG (6–10) | 12 | 16 | 21 | 76.2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 10–11 | 3–5 | 0–2 | 47 | 0 | 29 | 29 | 100.0 | 77 |
| 1993 | PHI (8–8) | 11 | 8 | 13 | 61.5 | 0–0 | 4–6 | 2–2 | 2–5 | 0–0 | 48 | 0 | 18 | 19 | 94.7 | 42 |
| 1993 | NE (5–11) | 3 | 5 | 5 | 100.0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–3 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 37 | 0 | 10 | 10 | 100.0 | 25 |
| 1994 | NE (10–6) | 16 | 27 | 34 | 79.4 | 0–0 | 14–14 | 9–12 | 4–8 | 0–0 | 48 | 0 | 36 | 36 | 100.0 | 117 |
| 1995 | NE (6–10) | 16 | 23 | 33 | 69.7 | 1–2 | 12–12 | 3–7 | 5–7 | 2–5 | 55 | 1 | 27 | 27 | 100.0 | 96 |
| Career (17 seasons) | 235 | 300 | 415 | 72.3 | 22–23 | 113–123 | 93–131 | 66–115 | 6–23 | 55 | 2 | 522 | 534 | 97.8 | 1422 | |
Personal life
[edit]He appeared in the 1980 television movie, Fighting Back: The Rocky Bleier Story.
He is now an electrical engineer in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
References
[edit]- ^ "Where are your former Browns now? 25 questions with K Matt Bahr". dawgsbynature.com.
- ^ a b The Smallest Steeler of All
- ^ Hill, Adam (August 1, 2020). "Sport change kicked Chris Bahr's career into high gear". reviewjournal.com. Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
Matt Bahr followed a similar path, making them two of only six men to play professional soccer and in the NFL.
- ^ Collegian, Andrew Destin (September 7, 2020). "'A dream to coach' | How Penn Staters Matt and Chris Bahr carved out professional careers in two sports". The Daily Collegian. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
- ^ "BAHR STAYS HUMBLE – HE'LL TAKE THE FIFTH". Sun Sentinel. January 21, 1991.
- ^ "Browns, Bahr Put an End to 49ers' 7-Game Win Streak". The Washington Post.
- ^ "Alumni Spotlight – Matt Bahr". January 1, 2012. Archived from the original on January 15, 2012.
- ^ a b "Giants Put Allegre on Injured Reserve". The New York Times. September 29, 1990.
- ^ "Cutting Bahr Even Hurts Parcells". courant.com. August 21, 1996.
- ^ "Matt Bahr Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
External links
[edit]Matt Bahr
View on GrokipediaEarly life and education
Early life
Matthew David Bahr was born on July 6, 1956, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Bahr is the son of Walter Bahr, a National Soccer Hall of Fame inductee who captained the United States national team to a historic 1–0 upset victory over England in the 1950 FIFA World Cup. He grew up in a sports-oriented household in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, alongside his brother Chris Bahr, who later became an NFL placekicker for the Cincinnati Bengals and Oakland Raiders, and other siblings including Casey Bahr.[3] The family's athletic legacy, rooted in Walter's professional soccer career and coaching roles—including at Penn State University—provided an early and profound influence on Matt's development in sports.[4] From a young age, Bahr showed interest in both soccer and American football, shaped by his father's stories of international competition and the household's emphasis on athletic discipline and teamwork. This environment fostered his initial exposure to kicking techniques across both sports, setting the foundation for his dual-sport pursuits.[3][5]High school career
Bahr attended Neshaminy High School in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, during the 1970s, graduating in 1974.[1] There, he demonstrated versatility as a multi-sport athlete, participating in soccer, football, wrestling, indoor track, and track and field.[6] His involvement in these sports, influenced by his family's athletic heritage, helped build his physical conditioning and competitive edge.[7] In soccer, Bahr emerged as a key player on the varsity team during his senior year in 1973, co-leading the squad alongside Rich Reice to a strong early-season record of five wins in their first six games.[8] This performance contributed to the team's regional competitiveness and earned him local recognition as a standout contributor in the sport.[8] Bahr also focused on football as the placekicker during his junior and senior seasons in 1972 and 1973, where he practiced midweek and performed in games, refining the leg strength that proved instrumental in his later professional endeavors.[9] His dual emphasis on soccer and football at Neshaminy highlighted his athletic adaptability, setting the stage for advanced opportunities in both disciplines.[6]College career
Matt Bahr enrolled at Pennsylvania State University in 1974 and graduated in 1978 with a degree in electrical engineering, though his time there was heavily focused on athletics as he balanced commitments to both soccer and football.[10][3] As a starting defender, primarily playing left back, for the Penn State Nittany Lions men's soccer team over four seasons from 1974 to 1977, Bahr was a key contributor to the program's success under his father, head coach Walter Bahr.[11][12] He helped the team achieve consistent competitiveness, including earning the Bill Jeffrey Award as the program's most valuable player in 1977 during his senior year.[11] That season, Bahr was selected as an All-American in soccer, recognizing his defensive prowess and overall impact on the Nittany Lions' performance.[13] Bahr's exceptional kicking ability, honed through years of soccer, first drew significant attention during his college soccer practices and games at Penn State, where observers noted his powerful strikes that often soared over goalkeepers and coaches alike.[4] This talent led to him being scouted for football, prompting him to join the Nittany Lions football team as a placekicker starting in his sophomore year, where he utilized a soccer-style technique despite his primary focus remaining on soccer.[9][10] His dual-sport involvement ultimately generated NFL interest, culminating in his selection in the 1979 NFL Draft.[9]Professional soccer career
Colorado Caribous
Following his standout college career at Penn State, where he earned first-team All-America honors as a defender, Matt Bahr signed his first professional contract with the Colorado Caribous of the North American Soccer League (NASL) in 1978. The expansion Caribous selected him eighth overall in the NASL college draft after acquiring the pick in a trade with the Chicago Sting.[14] In his rookie season, Bahr appeared in 24 matches for the Caribous, primarily as a defender, logging 2,049 minutes and contributing 3 assists while scoring no goals.[15] His steady play helped stabilize the backline amid the team's turbulent year, though the Caribous struggled overall, posting an 8-22 record that tied for the worst in the 24-team league.[16] The Caribous' 1978 campaign was marked by significant challenges, including dismal attendance—averaging just 7,418 fans per home game at the 74,000-seat Mile High Stadium—and internal instability, such as the mid-season firing of coach Dave Clements in favor of Dan Wood.[16] These issues, compounded by ownership disinterest and financial losses, led to the franchise's sale in August 1978 and relocation to Atlanta after the season, where it rebranded as the Atlanta Chiefs before disbanding following the 1981 campaign.[16] Bahr's debut professional stint represented a key transition, as he honed his soccer skills on the pitch.Tulsa Roughnecks and Pennsylvania Stoners
Following his time with the Colorado Caribous, Matt Bahr was traded to the Tulsa Roughnecks of the North American Soccer League (NASL) toward the end of the 1978 season.[12] In his brief tenure with Tulsa, Bahr made two appearances as a defender, logging 101 minutes on the field without recording any goals or assists, reflecting the limited opportunities available amid the NASL's highly competitive environment dominated by international talent.[17] This move came as Bahr sought to establish himself professionally in soccer, but the league's structure often favored experienced imports, contributing to his restricted playing time across teams.[12] In 1979, Bahr signed with the Pennsylvania Stoners of the American Soccer League (ASL), a second-division circuit, where he appeared on the roster during the early season but did not record any league appearances.[18] His involvement was minimal, as he was present at practices and potentially games when he learned of his NFL draft selection in May 1979, prompting a shift in focus toward American football.[2] The ASL provided a lower-profile outlet compared to the NASL, yet Bahr's short engagement underscored the challenges of sustaining a soccer career in the U.S. at the time, with rosters frequently turning over due to financial instability and competition from higher leagues.[19] These engagements marked the conclusion of Bahr's professional soccer phase, which spanned less than two full seasons and totaled fewer than 30 appearances overall, serving as a foundational but ultimately transitional experience before his pivot to the NFL.[12]NFL career
Pittsburgh Steelers and San Francisco 49ers
Bahr was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the sixth round, 165th overall, of the 1979 NFL Draft as a placekicker, capitalizing on his professional soccer experience to bring a soccer-style approach to the position.[1] His selection came while he was still active in the American Soccer League with the Pennsylvania Stoners, highlighting the NFL's interest in his leg strength developed through soccer.[2] In his rookie year of 1979, Bahr handled kicking duties for the Steelers across all 16 regular-season games, converting 18 of 30 field goals (60.0%) and 50 of 52 extra points (96.2%).[1] He contributed significantly to the team's postseason run, including a 41-yard field goal in Super Bowl XIV and extra points following two touchdowns in a 31-19 victory over the Los Angeles Rams, earning his first Super Bowl ring as part of Pittsburgh's fourth championship in six years.[20] Bahr returned as the primary kicker in 1980, appearing in all 16 games with 19 of 28 field goals (67.9%) and 39 of 42 extra points (92.9%), but faced increasing competition from younger prospects.[1] The Steelers waived him just before the 1981 regular season in favor of rookie Dave Trout, ending his two-year stint in Pittsburgh.[21] After his release, Bahr signed with the San Francisco 49ers on September 8, 1981, stepping in as kicker while veteran Ray Wersching recovered from injury.[9] He appeared in four games for the 49ers early in the season, making 2 of 6 field goal attempts (33.3%) and all 12 extra points (100.0%).[1] With Wersching's return after those games, the 49ers waived Bahr, who was then acquired by the Cleveland Browns via trade.[22] Bahr's early NFL years were marked by the challenges of transitioning his soccer-style kicking—characterized by approach angle and ball contact—to the NFL's requirements, such as using a tee and handling a prolate spheroid differently from a soccer ball, all while vying for roster security as a kicking specialist.[2] His powerful leg, honed during a standout college soccer career at Penn State where he set scoring records, proved instrumental in overcoming these hurdles and establishing viability in the league.[23]Cleveland Browns
After being traded from the San Francisco 49ers to the Cleveland Browns on October 6, 1981, for a ninth-round pick in the 1983 NFL Draft, Matt Bahr joined the team midway through his third professional season and remained their primary placekicker for the next nine years.[9] Building on the kicking foundation he established during his early tenure with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Bahr provided consistent reliability for the Browns, appearing in 115 games from 1981 to 1989.[1] Bahr's performance solidified his role as a dependable scorer in the competitive AFC Central Division, where he converted 143 of 193 field goal attempts (74.1%) and 248 of 252 extra points (98.4%), amassing 677 total points during his Browns career.[24] He achieved multiple 100-point seasons, including 104 points in 1988 (24 field goals, 32 extra points) and 101 points in 1983 (21 field goals, 38 extra points), while leading the NFL in field goal percentage in 1983 at 87.5% (21 of 24).[25] Among his milestones, Bahr set a Browns franchise record with 14 consecutive field goals made, a mark later tied for second in team history.[26] Bahr contributed significantly to the Browns' resurgence as contenders in the 1980s under head coaches Sam Rutigliano (1978–1984) and Marty Schottenheimer (1984–1988), eras defined by the passionate "Dawg Pound" fan section at Cleveland Municipal Stadium and aggressive defensive play.[27] His steady kicking supported playoff appearances, including key field goals in postseason games during the 1986 (12–4 record) and 1987 (10–5 record) campaigns, when the Browns advanced to the AFC Championship Game both years.[1] By the end of his Browns stint in 1989, Bahr ranked among the franchise's all-time leaders in field goals made and points scored by a kicker, underscoring his impact on the team's offensive consistency.[24]New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, and New England Patriots
Following his consistent performance with the Cleveland Browns, which established him as a reliable veteran kicker, Matt Bahr signed with the New York Giants as a free agent on September 28, 1990, after their starting kicker Raul Allegre suffered a groin injury.[28] Bahr stepped in immediately and provided stability to the Giants' special teams during the 1990 season, culminating in a pivotal role in their postseason run. In the NFC Championship Game against the San Francisco 49ers on January 20, 1991, he made all five of his field goal attempts, including a 42-yard game-winner as time expired to secure a 15-13 victory and advance to Super Bowl XXV.[29] In the Super Bowl itself against the Buffalo Bills, Bahr connected on a 21-yard field goal with 7:20 remaining, which proved to be the game-winning margin in the Giants' 20-19 triumph.[30] Bahr remained with the Giants through the 1992 season, appearing in 38 games over three years and contributing to their competitive efforts in the early 1990s. However, after a season where he made 16 of 21 field goals but struggled on kickoffs, the Giants did not retain him during roster cuts in September 1993, opting instead for David Treadwell under new coach Dan Reeves.[31] He then joined the Philadelphia Eagles later that month on September 24, 1993, following an injury to their kicker Roger Ruzek, serving primarily as a spot kicker in 11 games during his only season with the team.[32] Bahr was released by the Eagles in December 1993 after missing several late-season attempts. Bahr finished his career with the New England Patriots, signing with them via waivers in December 1993 and playing through the 1995 season at age 39.[33] In his final years, he demonstrated veteran reliability in high-stakes situations, including long field goals that helped key wins. Entering the 1996 training camp, Bahr competed for the kicking job against rookie undrafted free agent Adam Vinatieri but was released in August at age 40, effectively retiring after 17 NFL seasons marked by clutch performances across multiple teams.[34]Playing statistics
Soccer statistics
Matt Bahr's professional soccer career in the North American Soccer League (NASL) was brief, spanning parts of the 1978 season with the Colorado Caribous and Tulsa Roughnecks, where he primarily played as a defender.[15] Across these teams, he made 26 appearances, recording no goals and three assists, reflecting his role in a transitional phase before shifting to American football.[15] In 1979, Bahr signed with the Pennsylvania Stoners of the American Soccer League (ASL) but did not appear in any league matches, as he balanced commitments with his nascent NFL career.[35] No advanced performance metrics from this era are available, underscoring the limited scope of his soccer tenure.[36]| Team | League | Year | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Caribous | NASL | 1978 | 24 | 0 | 3 |
| Tulsa Roughnecks | NASL | 1978 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Pennsylvania Stoners | ASL | 1979 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | - | - | 26 | 0 | 3 |
NFL statistics
Matt Bahr's NFL kicking career from 1979 to 1995 resulted in 300 field goals made out of 415 attempts, achieving a 72.3% accuracy rate, alongside 522 extra points out of 534 attempts at 97.8% success, for a total of 1,422 points scored.[1] His professional soccer background provided exceptional leg strength that bolstered his kicking precision and power in the NFL.[37] Bahr's statistics varied by team, with the bulk of his production occurring during his nine seasons with the Cleveland Browns, where he established himself as a reliable veteran kicker.| Team | Years | Field Goals (Made/Att) | FG% | Extra Points (Made/Att) | XP% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 1979-1980 | 37/58 | 63.8 | 89/94 | 94.7 |
| San Francisco 49ers | 1981 | 2/6 | 33.3 | 12/12 | 100.0 |
| Cleveland Browns | 1981-1989 | 143/193 | 74.1 | 248/252 | 98.4 |
| New York Giants | 1990-1992 | 55/73 | 75.3 | 82/84 | 97.6 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 1993 | 8/13 | 61.5 | 18/19 | 94.7 |
| New England Patriots | 1993-1995 | 55/72 | 76.4 | 73/73 | 100.0 |
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